We serve community members interested in being a part of the entrepreneurial community focused on startups, technology and innovation, along with those interested in learning about it. We believe that in order to have a healthy entrepreneurial community, we need a healthy ecosystem of connected resources. This community consists of entrepreneurs, investors, government, universities, students, service providers, large corporations, etc. These participants, working together with shared passion, are vital to the success of an entrepreneurial community.

Why we build Emerging Prairie

Our goal is to accelerate the growth and development of our communities so the region can create, attract and grow the businesses today that will create its tomorrow. Emerging Prairie is a resource that provides:

A platform to share knowledge, success and experiences

The pulse of the region’s entrepreneurial activity

A network of passionate individuals shaping the region’s future

GRAND FARM

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DR. WILLIAM ADERHOLDT

Co-Founder and Executive Director of Grand Farm

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DR. RUCHI JOSHI BHARDWAJ

Grand Farm Senior Program Manager of Education & Research

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KAYTLYN COBB

Grand Farm Regional Assistant Director - Perry, Georgia

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ANDREW JASON

Grand Farm Ecosystem Director

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JOHN MANN

Grand Farm Program Manager of Startup Ecosystem

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NATHAN MARCOTTE

Grand Farm Senior Program Manager of Innovation Technology

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HAILEE MEINERS

Grand Farm Field Technician 

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DREW MURRAY

Grand Farm Field Technician 

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ANN NOBRIGA

Grand Farm Senior Program Manager of Field Operations

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STETSON URLACHER

Grand Farm Grower Program Coordinator

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KYLE WHITCRAFT

Grand Farm Director of Program Management Office

STARTUP PROGRAMS

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AUTUMN SCHAEFFER

Startup Programs Coordinator

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SADIE SCHAEFFER

Startup Programs Manager

EMERGING DIGITAL ACADEMY

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BLAINE BOOHER

Program Director of Emerging Digital Academy

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KATIE BURINGTON

Life Cycle Manager

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JENNA RADTKE

Student Life & Recruitment Coordinator

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DAVID VINSON

Student & Technical Support Specialist

EXPERIENCES + EVENTS

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SYDNEY BRUSSEAU

Experiences + Events Manager

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LIZ CAMPBELL

Director of Experiences & Events

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TAYLOR LEE

Grand Farm Experiences + Events Intern

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VERONICA PAVEK

Experiences + Events Intern

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JADA SCHWINDT

Experiences & Events Coordinator

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MADISON STONE

Experiences & Events Coordinator

FINANCE + OPERATIONS

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LISA MISTIC

Grants Manager

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KYLE GLANDER

Accounting Manager

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DR. KIRA KNUTSON

Grants Coordinator

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NATALIE LEMNUS

Ecosystem Partnership Manager

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NICK SINNER

Facilities Manager

MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS

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AVERY NELSON

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

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CARLY PFENNIG

Marketing & Communications Intern

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ASHLYN SCHAUER

Marketing & Communications Specialist

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MADI SIMPSON

Marketing & Communications Manager

EMERGING PRAIRIE

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GREG TEHVEN

Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder
Board Member

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BRIAN CARROLL

Chief Innovation Officer,
Grand Farm Co-Founder

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MATT WENDEL

Chief of Staff

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NATHAN VINK

Innovation Manager

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ALEXYS WALKER

Executive Assistant

Our board members

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BYRON SNIDER

BOARD CHAIR

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KODEE FURST

BOARD VICE CHAIR

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MIKE DERHEIM

BOARD SECRETARY

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JONATHAN WARREY

BOARD TREASURER

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HOWARD DAHL

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HEIDI HEITKAMP

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MARY SNAPP

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GREG TEHVEN